Monday, September 14, 2009

A friend of mine has just released a new book called "Treasured: Knowing God by the Things He Keeps" Leigh McLeroy writes honestly and beautifully about encountering the God who loves her in the midst of real hurts in real life. In this book McLeroy tells her own story of confidence in the God who sees, knows and loves her. And she does it through concrete symbols that bind up reality for all of us: things like a fig leaf, a scarlet cord, a dry waterskin.

The latter belongs to Hagar. Like all of these chapters, Leigh dances between the Old Testament stories and her own journey. Both moments leap off the page. And because McLeroy is so honest, the words create a transparency that invites the reader to join her there.

For example, her chapter entitled "A Dry Waterskin" ends this way: "Like Hagar, I have a God who knows my name. A God who sees. I have never been lost to Him--and neither have you. The scrap of an old waterskin remains to tell the story. He sees. he knows your story. You are His. He has His plans for you. He has been long in the business of naming names, and oh how He loves the sound of yours!"

I need stories that strengthen my confidence in the God who sees. Life is full of vulnerable places that would benefit by concrete objects like a waterskin set right down on my soul's coffee table to be picked up and pondered at reflective moments. "Treasured" is full of such lovely stories.

2 comments:

Are you friends with Leigh? I just listened to a radio interview she gave on her book the Beautiful Ache and was so drawn to her. I'm not surprised at all that you are connected with her. Can't wait to get her newest book. Thanks for the heads up!

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